Walbert Avenue Bridal Shop Plan Still Stalled In South Whitehall

After four reviews in less than a month, South Whitehall developer James Molinaro still lacks township approvals needed to establish a bridal shop in a twin home on Walbert Avenue near 21st Street.

Molinaro said he bought the home several months ago and intends to lease the property to a bridal sales and repair operation. The home is located in a neighborhood-commercial zone.

The Planning Commission last night took Molinaro's proposal under advisement for a second time after several neighbors turned out to object to the project.

The shop, the neighbors contended, would increase traffic in the area and create hazards at the alley targeted as access to the tract.

Last Thursday, the Zoning Hearing Board granted variances to side-and rear-yard setbacks to establish a nine-vehicle parking lot in what was the back yard of the property.

Molinaro proposed access to the lot via an alley at the rear of the property and off 21st Street. The residents said visibility at the mouth of the alley is obscured by a garage and the cartway is only wide enough to handle one car at a time.

Planner George Heintzelman agreed the rear passage is "not an alley. It's a swale, and if it is an alley - upgrade it."

The board took the proposal under advisement pending review by the township safety committee.

In the interim, Molinaro will apply for a zoning variance to establish a driveway opening on Walbert Avenue.

A second proposal filed by Molinaro requesting rezoning of a large residential tract on both sides of Route 309 between Main Street and Parkland Terrace was also postponed pending review by the consultants who are working on revisions to the comprehensive plan.

Molinaro is asking the tract to be zoned office-commercial.

Paul Haley of Main Street objected to the proposal saying a change would put his old home in jeopardy, increase traffic on 309 and raise taxes in the area.

In other business, the commission recommended approval for:

- The Bestway Print application to construct a 6,000-square-foot building on the south side of Broadway between Hausman Road and Route 309.

- The request of Cornerstone Fellowship Church to build a 12,650-square- foot church north of Parkland Road adjacent to the east side of the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

- A proposal filed by Frank Posocco to relocate a 12,000-square-foot building 5 feet closer to Chapmans Road than was originally approved. The building is planned for a tract east of Chapmans and south of Grammes Road.